Breaking down the top prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft … in June 2018.
The 2018 NBA Draft recently came to a close, with plenty of excitement on draft night. The Mavericks traded up for Luka Doncic, netting the best international prospect of all-time. The Philadelphia 76ers turned Mikal Bridges into Zhaire Smith and an unprotected first-round pick.
Now we turn our attention, at least briefly, toward the projected rookie class of 2019. From viral sensations to talented swingmen, there is plenty of firepower at the top of this draft — even if the depth, comparatively speaking, doesn’t stack up to recent years.
Zion Williamson, Cameron Reddish and R.J. Barrett are the top-three high school seniors on most recruiting lists. All three will be attending Duke alongside Tre Jones, another five-star recruit. Coach K continues to add to his impressive resume of high-level recruiting.
We’ll also see several names that picked up draft hype alongside the 2018 class, with Daniel Gafford, Jontay Porter and other upperclassmen finding themselves in lottery projections. With less depth up top, we could see older prospects sneaking their way into that conversation.
This board is still fluid. It’s way too early to get a concrete reading on these prospects, something we won’t have until the college season actually starts. There are also several variables at play when it comes to determining a player’s draft stock, ranging from team situation to individual performances.
We can’t form conclusions an entire year early. Think of this as a primer of sorts, giving you names worth watching and breaking down some of the best freshmen (and sophomores) in the 2019 class.
Much like the 2018 class, international prospects are lightly represented in the first-round discussion. Samanic is one of the few on that list, spending the past two seasons with Barcelona’s second team.
A skilled stretch-four, Samanic should garner plenty of interest at the next level. He’s a fluid shooter with decent quickness for his size, attacking in straight-line drives and using his 6-foot-10 frame to shoot over defenders.
He’s also an adept passer, showing plus vision and playing an unselfish brand of basketball. He can get turnover-prone at times, but that should improve as he adds muscle and learns under an NBA coaching staff.
Until he adds strength, Samanic will be a negative on the defensive end. His versatility and athleticism at the four spot, though, could make him a valuable switch-friendly big down the line. He checks a lot of boxes in the modern NBA and has room to move up these rankings.
Gafford had a chance to go in the lottery this summer, but opted to return to school instead. With limited center depth at the top of the 2019 class, that decision could prove beneficial if he builds on his strong freshman campaign.
An ultra-athletic big man, Gafford projects as a rim-runner and lob-catcher on the offensive end. He lacks polish, but is able to use his long arms and bounce to play above the rim and finish efficiently in the paint.
Defensive fundamentals are another concern, but Gafford has one of the highest two-way ceilings on this list. Along with his ability to block shots at a high clip (2.2 per game), he can switch onto the perimeter and stick with quicker guards on occasion. That’s key to becoming an effective defensive anchor.
As long as Gafford can improve his skill level on the offensive end, he should keep himself firmly in the lottery conversation next year. Passing up a first-round selection to return to school is always risky, but Gafford is in a good position to make money off that decision.
Porter was a borderline lottery prospect in the 2018 class, as I detailed in his draft profile. At just 18 years old, he has the talent needed to get drafted higher than his older brother, Michael Porter Jr. He will once again be featured in Missouri’s offense next season.
The biggest concern with Porter is his defensive ceiling, largely due to his athleticism. He’s not a bad athlete for his size, but he’ll need to shed weight and add strength to succeed on both ends in the NBA.
On the offensive end, he has the makings of a legitimate focal point at the five spot. He shot 36.4 percent from three-point range last season, showing clean mechanics in pick-and-pop scenarios. He can also roll to the rim, flashing soft touch in the lane.
Passing is an underrated skill for Porter. He can catch the ball in the post or at the top of the key, using his size to see over defenders and pinpoint open shooters. His game is surprisingly different from that of his brother, who’s often labeled as a go-to scorer with questionable playmaking skills.
Hachimura has spent two years at Gonzaga, coming off the bench on deep, competitive teams. Now he’ll be featured as one of their primary weapons on both ends next season, setting him up for a potential lottery run.
At 6-foot-8, the Japanese forward is one of the most intriguing athletes in the draft. He should be capable of guarding three or four positions, sliding his feet on the perimeter and using his athleticism to nab the occasional weak-side block.
He’s raw on the offensive end, but flashes plenty of potential as a slasher who can finish inside and hit spot-up jumpers. He doesn’t have reliable three-point range yet, but that could be on the docket. He can hit mid-range jumpers consistently.
In the modern NBA, versatile defenders on Hachimura’s ilk are at a premium. Even going into his junior season, there aren’t many prospects with more athletic upside than Rui. Expect him to shine on a Zags team that is expected to contend for a Final Four spot.
Garland is a quick-twitch athlete who projects as one of the most dynamic lead guards in the 2019 class. He’ll be joining a Vanderbilt team that should be fun to watch next season, giving them elite playmaking and scoring on the perimeter.
At 6-foot-3, Garland should thrive in the pick-and-roll. He’s already flashes solid vision at a passer, using his crafty handles to break down defenders before locating open teammates. He can also hit pull-up jumpers at all three levels, displaying fluid mechanics off the bounce.
He can also function off the ball to an extent, with his shooting mechanics translating well in spot-up scenarios. His quick trigger could make him a dangerous weapon coming around screens, although that’s something he’ll need to put in the time to develop.
Alongside his scoring and playmaking upside, Garland should be able to translate his athleticism into solid defense at the point of attack. His limited wingspan and lack of strength hurts, but he should defend his position well enough to contribute on both ends.
Hunter’s freshman year was largely uneventful, but a late-season breakout put him firmly in the lottery conversation for 2019. At 6-foot-8, he provides ample versatility at the four spot — on both sides of the ball.
Using his strong frame and plenty of craft, Hunter is a dynamic isolation scorer from mid-range and the post. He uses a variety of shot fakes to get defenders off balance, powering through contact around the rim or finishing with touch on short-range jumpers.
He also shot 38.2 percent from three-point range, spacing the floor as a spot-up shooter. As a smaller four, his ability to space the floor, attack off the dribble and create his own shot should create plenty of mismatches.
On the defensive end, Hunter has the physical tools needed to spend time on all five positions. Possessing excellent lateral quickness and great instants, he can choke off passing lanes and protect the weak side with his length. His two-way versatility should garner lottery interest.
Grimes projects as a comboguard at the next level, spending time both with and without the basketball. His three-point shooting has been streaky in the past, but the mechanics are projectable and he’s a proven shot-maker. It shouldn’t be a huge concern.
At 6-foot-5, Grimes makes up for his lack of explosiveness with craft as a finisher. He doesn’t have the quickest first step, but is capable of turning the corner and using smooth dribble combinations of create space and get shots off.
He also shows promise in the pick-and-roll, patiently reading defenses and dropping well-timed passes with regularity. Grimes won’t be the only ball-handler at Kansas, but he will play a significant role in shaping their backcourt play.
Defense has been a question mark for Grimes in the past, but his physical tools are promising. He has the size and strength needed to defend either guard spot. He’s an all-around player who should transition well to the NBA.
Upside, upside, upside. Bol Bol, the son of Manute Bol, may never pan out. But he also has the potential to become one of the most dynamic two-way bigs in recent memory, the kind of high-end ceiling that NBA teams should be willing to gamble on.
Measured at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-8 wingspan, Bol has the potential to develop into an elite rim protector. He has physical tools comparable to those of Rudy Gobert and Mo Bamba, altering shots with his presence alone. Adding strength is a must, but the sheer length is tantalizing.
On the offensive end, Bol is a surprisingly fluid player for his size. He moves well off the bounce, attacking in straight-line drives and finishing with touch shots around the lane. He can also knock down spot-up threes, although his release is unorthodox.
Perhaps the biggest concern with Bol is his attitude. He isn’t known for putting in maximum effort, something that will go a long way in determining whether or not he can reach his lofty ceiling. Assuming he buys into physical improvement at the next level, though, Bol’s upside earns him a top-10 grade.
Langford is one of several talented wings toward the top of this year’s class. At 6-foot-6, his ability to create shots at all three levels should make him a standout at Indiana. He’s easily one of the best pure scorers in the draft.
As somebody who will be spotlighted as a go-to scorer, he will put up points in bunches. He’s arguably the best individual scorer in the draft, challenging the likes of Nassir Little and R.J. Barrett for that title. He’ll need to improve his auxiliary skills, but wings with his offensive polish will always draw interest from NBA teams.
His compact shooting mechanics project well at the next level, allowing him to pop shots with minimal space available. Somebody with his blend of athleticism and scoring prowess could move even further up draft boards as the season progresses.
Showing growth on the defensive end will be important for Langford. It’s not known as a strength of his, but he has the physical tools needed to guard three positions at the next level. Alongside his offensive talent, that versatility is a nice bonus.
Doumbouya is the best international prospect in the draft. He’s also the best athlete by some measures, giving him one of the highest ceilings in the top five. His blend of youth (17 years old) and upside should put the Frenchman in contention for a top-five spot on draft night.
Standing 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Doumbouya is capable of spending time at either forward spot. He’s explosive in space, handling the ball well in transition and displaying legitimate passing chops on the move.
Improving his consistency as a shooter will be emphasized at the next level, but Doumbouya has flashed shot-making ability at all three levels. He’s impressive both as a slasher and a cutter, using his size and athleticism to attack the rim.
Defensive engagement has come and gone for Doumbouya, but he should fare extremely well on that side of the ball. He’s capable of guarding all around the floor, bodying up power forwards and sticking with guards on the perimeter.
This year’s class doesn’t compare favorably to 2018, but the four names at the top all possess star-level upside. They’re all playing in the state of North Carolina as well, making it a legitimate possibility that the top-four picks are split between two schools (UNC and Duke).
Little was the McDonald’s All-American MVP and has shined on the All-Star circuit, emerging as a fearless scorer and plus athlete on the wing. He has the makings of a dynamic three-level scorer, combining quick-twitch athleticism with an effective pull-up jumper.
He’s also an excellent slasher, using his strong frame to bully his way through contact and finish at the rim. He will immediately become one of the best individual scorers in college basketball, taking on the featured scoring role for Roy Williams’ Tar Heels.
Defensive versatility is another positive trait for Little. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he has the size needed to defend three positions. He’s also extremely aggressive on that side of the ball, often taking on the key defensive assignments for his team.
Williamson is a unique prospect who projects as a power forward despite standing just 6-foot-6. He’s also the best athlete in the draft, bar none, setting him up for plenty of highlight plays in what will presumably be his only season at Duke.
Despite questions about his conditioning, Williamson should find success on both sides of the ball. He has underrated skill on the offensive end, with tight handles and impressive vision as a passer. He’ll be able to create offense as an initiator, which is rare for players with his physical gifts.
Finding production off the ball won’t be an issue either. He’s an explosive cutter, finishing off lobs with ease. Improving his jumper will be important, though, as he isn’t much of a three-point threat at this stage. He has shown the ability to hit some mid-range shots off the dribble, though.
Watching Zion’s defense progress at Duke will be interesting. His high-level athleticism and strength should allow him to defend two through four successfully, while spending time on small-ball fives isn’t out of the picture. Scouts will be watching his lateral quickness closely.
Reddish, similarly to the aforementioned Bol, has been known to underachieve in some settings. He doesn’t always put forth the best effort, which could hurt his stock if that continues in college. With that said, he’s also the most talented player on the board — and somebody who, under the right circumstances, could overtake the No. 1 spot.
At 6-foot-9, he has legitimate upside as a primary initiator. He’s one of the best passers in the draft, using his size to see over defenders and find open teammates. His fluid handles should help him in that department, breaking down defenders and exploiting different angles with his passes.
He’s also a gifted scorer at all three levels, hitting three-point shots consistently and displaying craft as a finisher at the rim. He doesn’t have the same high-level explosiveness as other top prospects, but his ability to change speeds and finish with touch helps him overcome that.
Given his size and athleticism, Reddish should be a versatile defender. Effort level will, again, be important, but he has the ability to defend all over the floor. Duke should be a fun team to watch, regardless of how poorly-constructed the lineups end up being.
Barrett has long been viewed as the top prospect in this class. He profiles as the most NBA-ready prospect on both ends, showing immense polish as a slasher and multi-positional defender. Duke has the luxury of potentially having the three best prospects in the 2019 draft.
With shifty handles and plus athleticism, Barrett can create for others and himself. Shooting has been a concern in the past, but his ability to get to the rim, create for others and score off the dribble should ease some of those concerns. The skill level and talent is undeniably present.
At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Barrett should be capable of defending three or four positions. He’s aggressive on the ball and creates turnovers off the ball, something that can’t always been said for the top prospect.
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As long as Barrett continues to improve his shooting — which he has done recently — he should be locked into the No. 1 spot on every draft board entering the season. Reddish is his primary competition, but Barrett might get the upper hand as Duke’s offensive focal point.